Jacqueline " Jackie" Fleming

It is hard to separate Jackie’s life from God’s working. As you read Jackie’s story, you also hear God’s calling at the same moment. Jackie’s parents were Curtis and LaVaughn Fleming. Curtis a well-educated man, and LaVaughn, a radically converted woman of God from North Dakota Mennonite’s Brethren community. Both came to Holy Ghost faith at the Neighborhood Church. Both were hard workers, both were musical and athletic, but most importantly, both put God before themselves. They often witnessed in front of bars and sang on radio shows. Their first son, Timothy was a natural-born athlete and musician. The second child was Jacqueline Fleming, born in 1950 and the apple of Curtis’ eye. She learned to sing in church, with a rising intellect and wide ability of talents. Through Curtis’ promotion from Napa to Washington, DC, the family was uprooted. Jackie was 13 years old. With her keen sense of humor, she found many friends at Christ Pentecostal Church and Washington-Lee High School. Jackie now grew into the maturity of her accomplishments and skills. She handled well the word of God, singing both harmony and solos, knitting and sewing, dried flower arrangements, piano and could speak to large numbers of people. Jackie could balance making the honor roll in college with singing in two Christian bands, and performing solos at church. She was a Sunday school teacher to many and helped them to grow in their faith and with her deep knowledge of God’s word. Her talents now connected with a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and fresh music now known as the “Jesus Movement.”

In the mid-1970s, her gifts expanded as both secretary to Pastor Jollay, and disc jockey/program manager of WCTN. Jackie had one of the first cooking shows on a Christian radio station, and knew most of the great Christian artists of the day. She learned even more crafts from her friend of over 44 years, Roxanne Barnes. After a successful career in music, Jackie worked for the federal government, with focus on Health and Human Services. For 23 years, Jackie gained honors, awards and promotions for her work. In the last years of her career, she would sit as subject matter expert behind three of the nine budget presenters to the US Senate Subcommittees. Her friend, Marianne Capacchione was one of her best friends at work. Jackie helped to shatter many “‘glass ceilings” where women were previously not allowed to have medical training or be executives.

In February 2005, her father and best friend, Curtis Fleming passed away. Sad and inconsolable, she asked to read God’s word from the pulpit. God’s presence overshadowed her in a new way. Within a few months, Jackie received Dad’s “mantel of Bible teaching” with power and conviction. And as the passage in II Corinthians 4 says, her outer body started to waste away, even as her spirit was getting stronger. For many years after retirement due to disability, Jackie taught the adults at Arlington Assembly of God and sang at Capitol Baptist. Her teaching was deep and practical: many were amazed at her command of Scripture. As her illness grew, she focused on the healing passages of Scripture. She continued to minister at DaVita with all her nurses and caregivers. Her Collection of Healing Verses is available in the Fellowship Hall of Arlington Assembly of God, or by email: [email protected]. As a family, we stand in amazement of this short and well-lived life. This was Jackie’s legacy in Christ Jesus, her Lord Master. Will you join her?